"Andre Agassi plays nothing like me, can't think about what I'd do": American's ex-coach analyzes Djokovic-Murray partnership, imparts coaching advice
Andre Agassi's ex-coach Brad Gilbert recently revisited his approach toward helping the American improve his game. Gilbert's recollection came when he assessed the exciting collaboration between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. The Serb roped in the Brit as his coach for the beginning of the 2025 season and their collective goal is to prepare the former for the 2025 Australian Open.
Andy Murray bid farewell to his professional playing days at the Paris Olympics earlier this year. However, the Brit's time away from tennis wasn't long, as former rival Novak Djokovic came calling. Murray lapped up the opportunity to coach the Serb, even without any formal coaching experience.
Brad Gilbert, former coach of Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Murray himself, and Coco Gauff, recently assessed the Djokovic-Murray collaboration. During the assessment, the veteran coach revisited his mindset when he became Agassi's coach shortly after hanging up his racket
"You’re the coach, looking through the lens of the player who you’re coaching. I was like, ‘I would do X, Y and Z, but Andre plays nothing like me, so I can’t think about what I would do. I have to think about what Andre needed to do," Gilbert told ATP Tour.com.
Agassi enjoyed the most successful phase of his career under the guidance of Gilbert.
Andre Agassi became World No. 1, won six Majors and an Olympic gold medal during his time with Brad Gilbert
Brad Gilbert's coaching from 1994 to 2002 facilitated Andre Agassi's rise to the summit of men's tennis. Under Gilbert's tutelage, Agassi established himself as one of the sport's most feared returners. Their first significant success came at the 1994 US Open, where Agassi became the first unseeded men's tennis player to win the hardcourt Major.
The duo's momentum carried on into the 1995 Australian Open. It was Andre Agassi's first time competing at the Grand Slam Down Under, and he remarkably went all the way and won the tournament. In April 1995, the American became the World No. 1, and he eventually won the men's singles gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and clinched six more Majors, four of them with Brad Gilbert as his coach.
In August this year, Agassi and Gilbert reunited in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. Later, the iconic coach took to X (formerly Twitter) and shared a glimpse into "fun times" with his former pupil.